Story by REDintern Danial Azmie. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.
Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Friday, July 11, 2008 – It was a remarkable conclusion to an almost epic rivalry in the B Division 100 metres hurdles as Noreen Herman from the Singapore Sports School brought the expectant crowd to its feet by writing her name once more in the record books.
Noreen thought she had it wrapped and delivered for the final when she smashed the then-record during the heats with a time of 15.55 seconds. But much to her and other observers’ amazement, fellow favourite Inez Leong from CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' responded with a virtuoso performance in her own heat, clocking 15.42s to install herself as the surefire choice for the winners medal.
Indeed, such was the intensity of the competition that just prior to the race, the stadium was buzzing with excitement over the potential of this race cracking yet another record. Both girls had upped the ante with their performances, and the tension was palpable as the competitors strode to their starting blocks for the final.
The command “Ke Garisan (on your lines)!” was uttered, and as the sudden “bang” rang through the Stadium, the girls were off.
As expected, it was neck and neck between Noreen and Inez. In the end Noreen pipped her rival by a mere 0.12th of a second to claim the coveted gold. And yes, it was another record, the third in the same event in two weeks. Further checks with the Singapore Amateur Athletic Association records showed that Noreen also broke the National Junior Record, a first for the 49th Inter-School Championships.
Here’s a quick tête-à-tête with the winner:
Red Sports: What was going through your mind throughout the race?
Noreen: I was fully focused during the race. I was thinking I need to stick as close as I can to Inez, and I also wanted to make my coach proud. At the last part, I pushed myself to my limits, and when I saw her fall back, I saw that as an advantage and opportunity to finish first.
: How confident were you of winning the race? Did you expect to break the record once again?
I was quite confident that I could do it. I wanted it really badly, but I wasn’t thinking of the record. It was more of getting the first position. I didn’t want to aim that far, in case I get disappointed if I didn’t reach the goal.
: How was training for the competition like?
(Smiling) It was fun, very fun. We did our routines every day. There was no letting up. My coach gave support and advice and was always positively egging me on, telling me “you can do it” and that we should concentrate on doing the simple things that can eventually make it better overall.
It was double heartbreak for Inez though, as Goh Weiming, also from the Singapore Sports School, broke her 80-metre hurdles record with a new timing of 12:52s.
100 Metres Hurdles B Girls
1st – Noreen Herman (Singapore Sports School) 00:15.35 (National Junior Record)
2nd – Inez Leong (CHIJ St Nicholas Girls') 00:15.47
3rd – Sarah Lee (Nanyang Girls’) 00:16.12
More photos in the gallery.
Leave A Comment